ULTIMATE CHEESY CHICKEN SPINACH CASSEROLE

This comforting, creamy casserole is a complete one-dish meal packed with protein, veggies, and gooey cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or meal prep—it’s guaranteed to become a family favorite.

RECIPE: Cheesy Chicken Spinach Casserole

*Yield: 6-8 servings*
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 30 min

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INGREDIENTS:

For the Casserole:

1.5 lbs (700g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced into 1-inch cubes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 oz (140g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped (or 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry)
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for tang)
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste

Cheese & Topping:

2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers, French fried onions, or panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
2 tbsp melted butter (for topping)

Optional Add-ins:

1 cup sliced mushrooms (sauté with onion)
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (spinach-artichoke twist)
4 strips cooked bacon, crumbled

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. PREPARE CHICKEN & VEGGIES

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Season diced chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Cook chicken until golden (5-6 minutes). Remove and set aside.
In same skillet, sauté onion until soft (3-4 min). Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add fresh spinach in batches, wilting until reduced. (If using frozen, squeeze dry and stir in.)

2. MAKE CREAMY SAUCE

Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese, sour cream, and chicken broth to the skillet.
Whisk until smooth and creamy. Stir in Italian seasoning.
Return chicken to skillet. Mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning.

3. ASSEMBLE CASSEROLE

Spread half the chicken mixture into baking dish.
Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella + ½ cup cheddar.
Spread remaining chicken mixture over cheese.
Top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella + ½ cup cheddar, then Parmesan.
In a bowl, mix crushed crackers (or topping) with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over cheese.

4. BAKE & BROIL

Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and topping is golden.
For extra crispy top, broil 1-2 minutes at the end (watch closely!).
Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving (sauce will thicken).

PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

Use Thighs for Extra Juiciness: Chicken thighs stay more tender in casseroles.
Squeeze Spinach Dry: Excess water from frozen spinach can make the casserole runny.
Don’t Overbake: Remove when just bubbly to avoid drying out.
Make Ahead: Assemble up to topping, cover and refrigerate 1 day ahead. Add 5-10 minutes bake time if cold.
Freezer-Friendly: Freeze unbaked casserole (without topping) up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.

Cheesy Chicken Spinach Casserole